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Late Indian History

Late Indian History. Caste System Patterns of Indian Civilizations. Two Great Faiths. Hinduism. Buddhism. Reincarnation Karma Goal is to reach Nirvana No Deities Open to all. Reincarnation Karma Goal is to reunite atman (soul) with Brahman Deities Caste system.

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Late Indian History

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  1. Late Indian History Caste System Patterns of Indian Civilizations

  2. Two Great Faiths Hinduism Buddhism Reincarnation Karma Goal is to reach Nirvana No Deities Open to all • Reincarnation • Karma • Goal is to reunite atman (soul) with Brahman • Deities • Caste system

  3. Caste System “Varnas” • Brahmins • Priestly caste: most privileged in rituals • Must conform to ritually purer practices (e.g., strict vegetarianism) • Kshatriyas • Warriors and rulers

  4. Caste System “Varnas” • Vaishyas • landowning farmers and merchants • Sudras • Low status laborers and artisans • Harijans (Dalits) • Untouchables (technically considered so low as to not be a caste) • Do the “dirty work”; killing animals, tanning hides, sweeping and cleaning • 20% of current population

  5. Basic Patterns of Indian Civilizations6th century BCE to 6th century CE • Periods of political unity followed by long periods of fragmented disunity • Invaders conquered India, but were then culturally assimilated • To this day, unity in India comes from culture, not politics • Caste system is more important that political parties

  6. Empires of India: The Mauryan Empire • 321 BCE Chandragupta Maurya forged the largest empire in Indian history • Created a well-organized bureaucracy

  7. Empires of India: The Mauryan Empire • Borrowed ideas from Alexander the Great • Tax collection • Royal courts of law • Large army (chariots and elephants) • Secret police • Postal system

  8. Empires of India: The Mauryan Empire under Asoka • Asoka, 268 BCE • Ruthless warrior • After bloody war he turned his back on further conquests. • Converted to Buddhism • Rejected violence • Resolved to rule by moral example.

  9. Empires of India: The Mauryan Empire under Asoka • Preached tolerance for other religions • Spread Buddhism throughout Asia • Temples • Monasteries • Monks • Asoka’s Edicts

  10. 600 Years of Disorder(2nd century BCE - 4th century CE) • Numerous invasions from Central Asia and Middle East • Buddhism continued to spread • Hinduism declined • Connected India with China & Rome • Spices, cloth, and luxury items

  11. Empires of India:The Gupta Empire • Chandra Gupta in 320 CE • “Classical” Age of India • Arts • Literature (Kama Sutra) • Philosophy • Mathematics (decimals & 0)

  12. Empires of India:The Gupta Empire • Favored Hinduism • Emphasized the caste system • Buddhism declined

  13. Empires of India:The Gupta Empire • Huns invade in 535 CE • India entered their “Dark Ages”

  14. Rajputs • 10th Century CE • Warrior kings • Many small states • Indian rule was similar to European Feudalism • Greatest temple builders

  15. Islam and India • Early 8th century, first Islamic contact • 1001, first massive Muslim invasion • 150 years of peace • Mohammed of Ghor returned in 1192 and conquered India by 1202 • Muslim rule until 1397 • Hinduism thrived despite significant differences with Islam

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